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Where To See California's Wildflower Superbloom | Weather.com
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Here's Where Tourists Can See California's Superbloom

An aerial view shows the colors of various wildflower species along Temblor Range, a mountain range that rises from the east side of the San Andreas Fault at Carrizo Plain National Monument on April 15, 2023, near Santa Margarita, Calif. Much of California is experiencing a superbloom following a historically wet season that drove several atmospheric river storms thorough the region, resulting in widespread flooding and record snow depths in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. (David McNew/Getty Images)
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An aerial view shows the colors of various wildflower species along Temblor Range, a mountain range that rises from the east side of the San Andreas Fault at Carrizo Plain National Monument on April 15, 2023, near Santa Margarita, Calif. Much of California is experiencing a superbloom following a historically wet season that drove several atmospheric river storms thorough the region, resulting in widespread flooding and record snow depths in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. (David McNew/Getty Images)

At a Glance

  • Southern California's Walker Canyon is closed to all public access during this wildflower season.
  • The last superbloom drew humungous crowds to the area, causing chaos, damage and injuries.
  • There are many other areas where tourists are welcome to view the flowers in California.

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Parts of California are experiencing a superbloom after record rain and snowfall in the state. But tourists won’t be able to see the flowers just anywhere, as select sites have banned visitors after chaos ensued during the last superbloom, which occurred in 2019.

(​MORE: Brilliant Poppy Superbloom Near Los Angeles Fueled By Wet Winter)

Lake Elsinore’s Walker Canyon in Southern California announced this winter that public access would be prohibited during the bloom in order to avoid the “Disneyland-size crowds” that the area saw in 2019. Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson called the 2019 superbloom which drew throngs of people “an international phenomenon,” according to The Mercury News. There were reported injuries, rescue calls, traffic accidents and environmental damage.

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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco called it a “zero-tolerance policy,” warning of fines and arrests for violators.

Nature-lovers intent on witnessing the superbloom can head to the following locations, where visitors are welcome:

Southern California

  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
  • Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
  • Chino Hills State Park
  • Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
  • Carrizo Plain National Monument
  • Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area
  • Joshua Tree National Park
  • Red Rock Canyon State Park
  • Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

Northern California

  • China Camp State Park
  • Mount Tamalpais State Park
  • South Yuba River State Park
  • Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
  • Trione-Annadel State Park

Tourists can expect to see beautiful blossoms like California poppies, desert dandelions, cactus flowers, wild morning glory and more. Click through the slideshow above to see images of the superbloom at Carrizo Plain National Monument.

M​ORE FROM WEATHER.COM: You Can Zipline Through A Superbloom in Southern California

A woman sets off on her zipline over a superbloom of wildflowers at Skull Canyon Ziplines in Corona, Calif., on April 11, 2023. People are flocking to state parks for a glimpse of a spectacular superbloom following a historically wet winter. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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A woman sets off on her zipline over a superbloom of wildflowers at Skull Canyon Ziplines in Corona, Calif., on April 11, 2023. People are flocking to state parks for a glimpse of a spectacular superbloom following a historically wet winter. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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